Leeds United1 - 2Derby

Kris Commons capped an outstanding performance with the winning goal as Derby inflicted the first opening-day defeat on Leeds since 1989 after a feisty and exciting contest at Elland Road.

The match marked Leeds' return to the Championship but Simon Grayson's team struggled to neutralise the attacking threat posed by Derby and their 4-2-3-1 formation.

The Rams trio of Commons, Paul Green and Tomasz Cywka were extremely effective playing behind Rob Hulse - and all too often found plenty of space in dangerous midfield positions.

Commons was the outstanding performer, and it was his pass that led to Hulse's opener, while the 26-year-old struck from the penalty spot after Luciano Becchio had equalised for Leeds following a mistake from Robbie Savage, with all the goals coming in the opening half.

Derby only won three away games in the Championship last season - and might have had to settle for a draw here but for a late goalline clearance by Gareth Roberts from a Neill Collins header as the home team finished strongly.

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'Fantastic' win delights Savage

Having said that, Nigel Clough's team could have avoided a nervous finish to the match but they were repeatedly denied by a series of outstanding saves from Kasper Schmeichel on his Leeds debut.

Schmeichel was one of five players in the Leeds line-up who joined the club permanently in the summer. He was quickly into the action after the superlative Commons ran from deep before unleashing an 18-yard left-foot strike that appeared to have the keeper beaten but flew inches over the Leeds goal.

Leeds enjoyed a brief spell in the ascendancy, with Collins, signed permanently from Preston after a loan spell last season, heading over after a brilliant cross from Jonathan Howson.

But it was the Rams who struck first, Green dispossessing Howson in midfield before bearing down on goal and playing a wonderfully weighted pass that Hulse, recently linked with a move away from Derby, smashed beyond Schmeichel with a right-foot strike.

Grayson's team responded within minutes, helped in part by some awful Derby defending. The visiting side dallied at the back and when Savage's unfortunate touch gifted possession to Howson, the Leeds midfielder atoned for his earlier error by playing a square ball that the unmarked Becchio slotted home.

The attacking play continued to comfortably eclipse the standard of defending, as a deft flick from Richard Naylor struck the Rams crossbar, while another sumptuous Commons pass played Cywka through for the incident that led to Derby's penalty.

Lloyd Sam, signed from Charlton during the close season, attempted to tackle Cywka, although even with the assistance of replays it was difficult to tell whether he actually made contact with the ball.

Commons converted the spot-kick with a deft touch which made the ball roll slowly along the ground and into the net after Schmeichel had committed himself.

Collins went close again for Leeds with a header, while Leeds' failure to pick up runs from deep saw Commons find Green in an excellent position only for the 27-year-old to shoot straight at Schmeichel.

There seemed to be no limit to the havoc Commons could cause and shortly before the break he ghosted into the area before guiding a Savage free-kick towards goal, only for Schmeichel to make an excellent reaction stop.

The sun gave way to rain after the break and, if anything, the match became even more competitive as Stephen Bywater saved from Bradley Johnson, while Leeds were once again indebted to Schmeichel after he made a superb smothering save to deny Green from six yards.

However, as the contest passed the hour mark the pace noticeably dropped - and with it the incidence of clear openings.

Even so, there were further opportunities for Schmeichel to quickly underline his worth at his new club, the Dane making a brilliant double save to deny Hulse and then Rams substitute Shaun Barker.

Leeds dominated the final minutes but were let down by some poor decision making at crucial times as Derby held on for all three points.

57:29 Effort on goal by Rob Hulse from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

56:30 Gareth Roberts delivers the ball, Paul Connolly manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Tomasz Cywka from
the left by-line played to the near post, Federico Bessone makes a clearance.

55:58 Lloyd Sam delivers the ball.

55:26 Goal kick taken long by Kasper Schmeichel (Leeds).

55:14 Kris Commons produces a cross.

54:53 Kris Commons decides to take a short corner.

54:48 The ball is crossed by Tomasz Cywka, Paul Connolly makes a clearance.

54:10 Lloyd Sam delivers the ball, clearance made by Shaun Barker.

53:44 Attacking throw-in by Federico Bessone (Leeds).

53:15 Defending throw-in by Federico Bessone (Leeds).

52:29 Centre by Jonathan Howson.

52:02 Corner from right by-line taken by Neil Kilkenny.

51:45 Bradley Johnson takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Stephen Bywater.

51:25 Defending throw-in by Federico Bessone (Leeds).

51:06 Defending throw-in by Paul Connolly (Leeds).

50:45 Luciano Becchio gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shaun Barker. Free kick taken by John Brayford.

48:50 Shot comes in from Bradley Johnson from the free kick.

48:50 Booking Robbie Savage is cautioned.

48:24 Free kick awarded for a foul by Robbie Savage on Federico Bessone.

48:10 Attacking throw-in by Paul Connolly (Leeds).

46:48 Free kick awarded for a foul by Rob Hulse on Bradley Johnson. Federico Bessone restarts play with the free kick.

46:10 Defending throw-in by Federico Bessone (Leeds).

45:19 Defending throw-in by Paul Connolly (Leeds).

Correction - 45:01 Substitution Shaun Barker comes on in place of Russell Anderson.

45:00+1:55 Unfair challenge on Luciano Becchio by Russell Anderson results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by
Neil Kilkenny from right channel, save made by Stephen Bywater.

45:00+1:10 Defending throw-in by Paul Connolly (Leeds).

45:00+0:43 Goal kick taken long by Stephen Bywater (Derby).

45:00+0:38 Bradley Johnson crosses the ball.

45:00+0:16 Shot by Lloyd Sam. James Bailey gets a block in.

45:00 The referee calls an end to the first half.

43:39 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sanchez Watt on Kris Commons. The ball is swung over by Robbie Savage, Effort from inside
the area by Rob Hulse misses to the left of the goal. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Tomasz Cywka.

43:16 Free kick awarded for a foul by Neill Collins on Rob Hulse. Free kick taken by Robbie Savage.

42:59 Bradley Johnson has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

42:06 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Tomasz Cywka.

41:47 Tomasz Cywka takes a shot. Richard Naylor gets a block in.

40:16 Luciano Becchio is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Stephen Bywater.

39:53 James Bailey sends in a cross.

39:31 Attacking throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

37:25 Defending throw-in by Federico Bessone (Leeds).

36:59 Defending throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

36:11 Inswinging corner taken by Neil Kilkenny, clearance by James Bailey.

22:03 James Bailey challenges Sanchez Watt unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Neil Kilkenny.

21:31 Attacking throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

19:56 Paul Connolly challenges Dean Leacock unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Robbie
Savage from left wing, Bradley Johnson manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, save
by Kasper Schmeichel.

19:51 Attacking throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

19:18 Goal kick taken short by Stephen Bywater (Derby).

19:04 The ball is sent over by Gareth Roberts, comfortable save by Kasper Schmeichel.

18:28 Attacking throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

18:13 Attacking throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

17:55 Attacking throw-in by Gareth Roberts (Derby).

17:31 A cross is delivered by Neil Kilkenny.

17:13 Bradley Johnson produces a cross.

16:45 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Stephen Bywater.

16:21 Attacking throw-in by Paul Connolly (Leeds).

15:01 Assist by Jonathan Howson.

15:01 GOAL - Luciano Becchio:Leeds United 1 - 1 Derby Luciano Becchio gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Leeds 1-1 Derby.

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